Outside Festival 2025
This past weekend, Big City Mountaineers (BCM) was thrilled to be part of the second Outside Festival and Summit in downtown Denver—a celebration of the outdoors and the community that enjoys, supports, and stewards natural spaces. Over three inspiring days, we had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of festival-goers, industry partners, and like-minded souls, share stories, highlight our mission, enjoy some amazing music, and celebrate the transformative power of nature
One of the most meaningful aspects of the weekend was the presence of BCM youth alumni, who joined us at our booth to share firsthand with the greater community how their backcountry experiences with Big City Mountaineers have impacted their lives. Hearing these young adults speak about their journey—from summiting peaks to discovering confidence, community, and new possibilities—was a powerful reminder of why access to the outdoors matters so deeply, especially for youth from disinvested communities. For several youth, the Outside Festival also coincided with their graduation from High School, and it was extra meaningful to know that they were celebrating that achievement.
Our participation wouldn’t have been possible without the generous partnership of Outside Inc. and Southwest Airlines, who supported our presence and enabled us to communicate our work and mission to the larger community all weekend long. With their partnership, we created an interactive booth experience that helped everyone we met understand the heart of BCM’s mission: to provide transformative experiences in nature for youth who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
At the BCM booth, festival attendees were invited to take part in a collaborative community art project, created by Painting Pieces, where people of all ages and backgrounds could paint a piece of a puzzle that we will assemble into a colorful mural that will be on display in BCM’s office.
We also encouraged visitors to share their own stories of connection to the outdoors, recording over 100 thoughtful, funny, moving, and deeply personal reflections. These stories will become part of BCM’s growing archive of community voices and will help us continue to amplify the importance of equitable access to outdoor spaces.
From reconnecting with longtime supporters to introducing new friends to our work, the Outside Festival was a joyful, energizing celebration of the outdoors and everyone who finds belonging in it. It reminded us that while gear and trails are important, what truly makes the outdoor community strong is the diversity of people, experiences, and perspectives it holds.
We’re so grateful to everyone who visited our booth, took a moment to listen to our youth alumni, or added their voice to our art and storytelling projects. Your enthusiasm, support, and shared love for the outdoors keep us moving forward.
As Big City Mountaineers continues to grow and evolve, events like these remind us why our mission matters more than ever. Here’s to many more miles on the trail—and to building a future where every young person has the chance to discover their place in the outdoors. 🌄🌱💚